Type-writing machine.



A. T. BROWN. TYPE WRITING MAOHINE. APPLIOATION IILBD NOV. 11, 1904.

Patented June 15, 1909.

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Patented June 1'5' 1909.

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4 'IIII/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIA \A/ITNEEEES: l v ENTEIFL E 05. 7% %Za 7 HIE ATTElRNEY UNITED sTA-TEsr TENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER T. BROWN,- OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK:

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 15, 1909.

Application filed November 11, 1904. Serial No. 232,301.

To alt whom it may concervu Be it known that I, ALEXANDER BROWN, acitizen of the UnitedStates, and resident of Syracuse, in the county-ofOnondaga and especially of the so-called book typewriters.

My invention consists in certain features of construction andarrangements and combinations of parts which ,will be fully set forthherein and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view in front elevation of atypewriting machine-in which my invention is embodied;

Fig. 2 is a left-hand end elevation of the same, the carriage and framebeing shown in Vertical section on the line a0-ac of Fig. 1 and also onthe line y-y of said figure; Fig. 3 is a yertical front to rear sectionthrough the esca'pelnent mechanism; Fig. 4

is a vertical section of the same on the line z-z of F ig. 3; Fig. 5 isa horizontal section ofthe same; 6 is a-view similar'to Fig.

.7, but showing theparts' in different positions; and Fig. 7 is afragn'ientary right hand end elevation partly in section.

The typewriting machine shown in the present case comprises a stationaryflatplaten and printing instrunientalities which are mounted in acarriage which moves transver ely across said fiat. pl'aten on a linespace frame. which in turn is movable across the platen toward and fromthe operator. The platen frame 1. is provided with brackets 2 which reston the upper ends of posts 3 which support the platen frame and most ofthe mechanism of the machine and which are in turn supported in anysuitable manner. The platen consists of'the rectangular flat surface ofthe platen frame on which are spread a sheet or sheets 4 of rubber orother suitable material. Tracks 5 project from the right and left-handedges of the platen frame, said tracks 'being depressed below the levelof the platen surface.

The line space frame consists of two end amounted co-axially presentinvention.

pieces 6 rigidly. connected together by transverse'bars 7 and 8. Each ofthe end pieces- 6 has two rollers 9 and lO journaled thereon, and theserollers rest on the tracks 5 and support the line space frame. A rackbar 11 projects over each of the right and lefthand edges of the platenframe and istoot-hed on its under side, and said rack bars are in meshwith pinions 12 which are with the rollers 10. Suitable means may beprovided for causing the two pinions 12 to turn in unison and thusimpart a parallel line space motion to the line space frame. Thismechanism is not shown in the present case as the particularconstruction thereof is immaterial to the Each of the end pieces (3 hasa substantially horizontal portion which lies beneath the level of theplaten .surface and the forward end of each of said end-pieces is formedwith a substantial vertical portion to which the frame bar 7 is securedby screws 13 (Fig. 1). Theend pieces also have attheir rear endssubsta-n- 1 tial vertical portions which are connected by the bar 8which,'in the present instance, consists of a round rod which isinserted at its ends in bosses 14 (Fig. 1), formed in the end pieces (5,and saidbar is secured in position by screws 15 which pass through theend pieces 6 and are threaded into the ends of said bar. The carriage issupported on three rollers,'one of which runs on the rear bar 8 and theother two of which are spread wide apart and run on the front bar 7. Forthis reason-said front bar is longer than the bar 8 and projects somedistance beyond the and pieces 6 in both directions.

The framework of the carriage comprises by a plate 1.8 which issecuredtoboth'castings y screws (not shown). A wheel or roller 20 is journaledon a stud projecting from the rear side of the plate 18 andsaid rolleris held in position on said stud by a headed screw 21 which is threadedinto the endof the stud. The roller 20 is thus situated in the middleofthe carriage atthe rear side thereof and runs on the rear frame bar 8as a track. The castings l6 and 17 are joined at their forward ends by aplate 22 which constitutes the keyboard of the maingportions 24. pendedfrom the above described portions of.

the framework by frame pieces 26 and 27 chine and which is secured tosaid castings by screws 23 which pass through sald cast; lugs and arethreaded into said plate. The

plate 22' projects some distance forward from the castings and theforwardly projecting portionof the plate is formed at its right andleft-hand end sides with depend- A type ring 25 is suswhich areconnected to said type ring'near the rear and front portions thereofrespec 'to those used in the Smith Premier typewriter, the type carryingarms springing from the inner ends ofthe shafts and actuating crank armsfrom the outer ends of said shafts. Said crank arms areconnected byupwardl extending links 32 with the rear. ends of key levers 33. Saidkey levers are pivoted in hangers 34 which are secured to the under sideof the keyboard 22 by nuts 35, each ofwhich is threaded on to a portionof the hanger 34 which projects through a hole in'the plate 22. The'keylevers are levers of the first order and their forwardly extending armsare curved upward as shown at 36 and have keys 37 mounted thereon. Thecurved forward ends 36 of the key levers extend upward through openings38 in the plate 22 and are guided by notches 39 forming parts of saidopenings. The type bars normally stand upright and rest against. a pad40 which is secured to the framework of the carriage.

When a key 37 is depressed the rear end of its key lever is elevated andthe correspondingitype isthrown down against. the platen. *ach of thekey levers33 has a third arm 41 which extends downward from the pivotalpoint of said lever, and each of said downwardly extending lever armshas pivoted thereto a link 42 which extends toward the front of themachinethrough an open-' secured at itsends to the depending por-.

tions 24 of the keyboard. Each of the links 42 extends some distanceinfront ofth'e frame piece 43 and has a nut 44 threaded on its end. Aspring 45 coiled about the link is compressed between the nut 44 and theframe piece 43. This spring-serves to return the key lever to normalposition, and

the tension of the spring may be regulated by adjusting the nut'44. Itwill be perceived that the tension of the returning springs of thedifferent keys may be regulated separately. A universal bar 46 lies,beneath the series of links 42 and said bar is supported at its ends byarms- 47 which are pivoted at 48 to the depending portions dependingfrom the keyboard and which has formed with a .shoulder 49 which lies infront of the universal bar, so that when any key isdepressed theuniversal bar will be moved toward the back of the machine.

In the present case the links are made of wire and the shoulders areformed by bend-- ing the wire as shown. The universal bar is returned tonormal position bya spring 50 which is connected at its rear end'to ahook 51 which projects from the universal bar near the middle thereof,and at its forward end said spring is connected to a nut which isthreaded on an adjusting screw 53 which passes loosely through a flange54 on its forward end a milled head 55, by turning which the tension onthe spring may beregulated.

Inorder to prevent the nut 52 from turning with the screw 53, said nutis formed with a second opening through which passes a fixed rod 56whiehis secured to the flange 54. The motion of the universal bar undertheimpulse of the spring 50 is limited by a plate 57 which is secured tothe frame piece M 43 by a screw 58 and the rear end of which acts as astop for said universal bar. The space bar 59 lies across the keyboardin front of the bank of keys and is mounted atits ends on the forwardlyextending arms of bell crank levers-60 which are pivoted in hangers 6lwhich are secured to the plate 26 in the samemanner as the hangers 34.Said bell crank levers have downwardly extending arms 62 which-lie infront of the .1 universal -bar, and which actuate said universalbar-when said space bar is depressed. Said space bar mayibe providedwith suitable returningsprings.

The right-hand end piece Got the line 7 space i frame has projectinghorizontally 'sition on said stud by a headed screw 65 which is threadedinto the end ofthe stud. A cord 66 is wound about said drum, from whichit is led over a pulley .67 which is journaled at 68 in a hanger 69whichde- 113 pends from the frame bar 7 nearthe righthand'end thereof.The end of the cord 66 is secured to an arm or bracket'70 which 'issecured to the lower side of the carriage 64 tends to draw the carriagetoward the right.

The present machine is of such width that two consecutive leaves oflarge book hwybe spread outon the platen, so that the entire extent ofmovement of the carriage is veryconsiderable. F0r 'this reason the drum64fis formed with a spiral groove so that the 24 of the keyboard. Eachof the links 42 is cord 66 may be woundabout said drum several timeswithout having one lap of the cord lying on top of another.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that themiddleportionof the carriage beneath-and back of the keyboard plate 22is occupied by the key lever and.

type bar mechanisms, these parts being arranged but little above theforward rail or frame'bar 7'. The keys are thus placed low, being only ashort distance above the platen. It has been a disadvantage of manyprior flat-platen typewriters that the keyboard stood at a considerableheight above the I hand sides. The casting 17 extends downward from thetop of the carriage almost to the level of the type ring 25, as will beseen by reference to Fig. 2. This portion of the casting 17 ispeculiarly shaped to form a housing for the escapement mechanism andsome associated parts of the machine. This housing includes a wall 71which has the general form of a portion of a cylinder, the axis of whichis horizontal and extends from front toback of the machine. The form ofthis wall will be understood by reference to Figs. 1 and 3. The housingalso includes-afront end wall 72 (Fig. 3) which closes the forward endof the cylindrical shaped chamher, of which the wall 71 forms the roofand side. The rear portion of said chamber is of greater height than theforward portion and has a front wall 73 and a roof 74. and a right-handside wall 75 (Fig. 4c). -A rear wall 76 completes the housing of thechamber which is open on the side next the key lever A horizontallydisposed shaft 77 extending from front to back of the machine, isjournaled at its forward end in the frontendwall 72 and near its rearend in the rear end wall 76 .of the chamber above described. As hereshown, the forward end of the shaft is coned and bears on anti-fric-'tion balls 78 which run in a ball bearing cap 79 which is seated in thewall 72. The rear end of the shaft is reduced, thus form- 'ing shoulder,and a cone bearing 80 is mounted on the reduced part of the shaft andseated against said shoulder. Said cone bearing engages anti-frictionballs 81 which run in a ball bearing cup 82 which is threaded throughthe .rear wall 76 of the chamber. The ballbeai ings may be adjusted byadjusting the threaded cup 82. Near its forward end the shaft 77 hasrigidly mounted thereon a, grooved roller 83 which is fixed in positionon said shaft by a pin 84 which passes through said roller and shaft;The grooved roller 83 runs on top of the frame bar 7, the upper portionof which is made with an inverted V-shaped cross section to cooperatewith said roller, as shown in Fig. 7.

The casting 16 is so shaped as to form a housing 85 (Fig. 1), which issimilar in form to the forward 'part of the housing formed by thecasting 17. Within the housing 85 there is journalcd a shaft similar inall respects to the shaft 77 and having mounted thereon a roller 86similar to the roller 83.

It will be perceived that the rollers 83 and 86 are on the extreme rightand left ends respectivcly of the carriage so that they are wide apart.and being grooved and running on the V-sha-ped track, they serve toguide the motion of the carriage across the machinein parallelism.Moreover, by placing these rollers and the escapement mechanism clearaway at the sides of the key-lever sys- I tem, I obtain room to mountsaid key-lever system low, where the keys are in convenient position foroperation. p

In order to prevent the rollers 83 and 86 from accidental displacementfrom the/rail 7 a plate 87 of metal is secured to the underside-ofthehousing 71 by screws 88, and said plate extends beneath the rail, asshown in Fig. 2. A bracket 89 is secured to the frame piece 26 by ascrew 90 and extends beneath the frame rod or rail 8 and preventsaccidental displacement of the roller 20 from said rail.

. A pinion 91 is rigidly mounted onthe hub of the roller 83 and saidpinion meshes with a rackbar 92 which lies along the front face of therail 7, as shown in Fig. 7, and which is secured to said'rail by screws93 (Fig. 1).

A pinion 94 (Fig. 1) is secured to the hub of the roller 86 inthe samemanner as the pinion 91 to the hub of the roller 83. Said pinion 94 isused in connection with the ribbon mechanism which is notshown in thepresent case. As best shown in' Figs. 3 and 4, the escape- ,mentmechanism which controls the feed of the carriage under theimpulse ofthe spring drum 64:, 1s inclosed 1n the housing formed byv the casting17 and is geared to the shaft 77 which through the pinion 91 is gearedto the rack bar 92. A gear wheel 95 is'rigidly mounted on the shaft 77and meshes with a pinion 96 which is rigidly connected with a gear Wheel97 which meshes with a pinion 98, which is loosely mounted on a shaft 99on which is also mounted th'e-escapement wheel 100. The pinion 96 andthe gear 97 are journaled on a short shaft 101 which has threadedportion which is threaded through 12 5 the rear wall 76 of thehousing.The forward end of the shaft 101 extends into a suitable opening in abracket 101 (Fig. 3) which, as best shown in Fig. 4, projects .to-

.ward the center'of the nmchinc from the 'win 75- 0f the housing. The

ear 95 is larger than the pinion 96 and te gear 97 is larger thanthe'pinion 96 and also larger.

than the pinion 98, so that the shaft 99 turns much more rapidly thanthe shaft 77.

In the present instance the escapement wheel is formedwith four teethand is so geared to the pinion 91 that this number of teeth feeds thecarriage a letter space distance at each actuation of the escapementmechanism. The shaft 99 is formed with reduced ends each havingataperedportion, and said reduced ends are journaled in bushings 102 and1023 which-are mounted insui-table openings in the rear wall 76 and the"front wall- 7 3 respectively of the upper rear portion of the chamber.The bushing 102 is formedwith an annular shoulder to prevent endwisemotion thereof and the bushing 103 is threaded through the wall 73 sothat the bearing may-be adjusted by tightening or loosening saidbushing. The shaft 99 has its greatestdiameter just back of theescapement wheel, thus forming an annular shoulder against which the-escapement .wheel is clamped by a nut 104 which is threaded on to theshaft. A washer 105 is interposed'between the nut and the escapementwheel. This washer has a function which will be set forth hereinafter.

duced in diameter, forming an annular shoulder and said shaft is againreduced inv vdiameterwithin the hub of'the pinion 98,

thus forming 'a third annular shoulder which prevents motion of'saidpinion longitudinally of the shaft in one direction. Motion of saidpinion longitudinally of the shaft in the other direction'is preventedby borev at its forward end being appropriate to the greatest diameterof the'shaft. The

sleeve is thus formed with aninternal annular shoulder, and'a'springi107(Fig. 3) coiled about the shaft 99 is compressed between this internalannular shoulder'and .tlIG'COPIGSPOHdIDg annular shoulder on the shaft.The sleeve 106. isformed atits rear end. with clutch teeth which areadapted to v engagem ent.

cooperate with the clutch teeth on the hub of the rpinion 98 and thespring 107 tends to keep these coiiperating clutch members in Theconstruction is such that if the sleeve 106 be held against rotation theengagement of the abrupt faces of the clutch teeth will hold thecarriage against motion 1 short distance back of the escapement wheelthe shaft 99 is re-- 106 isfOrmed at its forward end with an annularflange 108 and pins 109 and 110 rojec't toward the front of the machinerom said flange and pass loosely through suitable openings in theescapement wheel. By

means 'of these pins the sleeve 106 and the escapement wheel areconstrained to turn in unison. acting through the sleeve 106 frompressing the pinion 98 against the bushing102 an thus causingunnecessary friction, means are provided for limiting the motion of saidforming a notch 111 (Fig. 6) and a tooth projectingfrom the washer 105lies in this In order to prevent the spring 107 notch and engaging theforward end of the notch limits the backward motion of the sleeve.

Dogs 112 and 113 project upward from a dog carrier or arm 11 1, which isrigidly mounted on a rock shaft 115 which is piv oted at its ends onconed pivot screws 116, one

of which is threadedthrough the side wall 75 of the .housing and theother of which is threaded through a frame piece 117 ,Wl1l0h is securedby screws 118 (Fig. 3) to a bracket 119 (Fig. 4), which rises from thefloor of the housing. The dog carrying armfll l has a stud 120projecting therefrom toward the middle of the machine. On the reducedend of said stud is pivoted a link 121 which extends toward the front ofthe machine and at its forward end ,is pivotally connected with theuniversal bar at or near the extreme right-hand endthereof. Theconstruction is such that whenever the universal bar is operated by akey or the space bar,

the dogs are rocked and the escapement wheel isxpermitted to movea-distance equal to the space between two teeth thereof. The dog 113 afixed dog and the dog 112 a loose dog-which, as shown in Fig.4, is piv:oted at 122 to an ear '123 which projects from the right-hand face ofthe dog carrier 114;. The lug or bracket 101 stands back of thedogcarrier and serves toprevent excessive motionof said carrier towardthe back of the machine.

It'is obvious that the carriage may be released froin the escapementmechanism b pressing the sleeve 106 toward the front of the machine-thusdisengaging the clutch connection between said sleeve and the pinion 98;I have provided a finger piece m'ent housing, being supported by hea edscrews 124 which pass loosely through elonarm toward the back of themachine into the v 7 path of the tooth 132, but by pressing thegatedslots 125(F1g. 7.) in said slide and are thread'edinto the housing. Apin 126 projects from said slide through a slot 12-7 (Fig.

) in the side wall 75 and the end of said pin stands behind the flange108 ofthe sleeve 106. The forward end of the slide 123 isf bentto theright to form a finger piece 128 by means of-which the slide may bedrawn toward the front of the machine, when the pin 126 will move thesleeve 106 out of .en-

gagement with the hub of the pinion-98, as

shown in Fig. 6,

the bar 7 and extends across the machine ust in frontof the lower edgeofsaid bar.

Thelower part of the bar 7 is formed with a. forwardly extending flange130, vwhich, as

, shown in Fig. 1, has teeth formed in its forward edge, said teethbeing a; letter spacedistance apart. A carriage" stop or carriage stops131 are'mounted on the bar 129 in such manner that they may be adjustedby sliding. them along said bar, and said stop, or anyofthem ifthere aremore than one, may be secured in adjusted position byturning it aboutthe rod '129unti'l' a tooth projecting from the stop'enters the notchbe- .tween twoof the teeth of the flange 130.

The stop has an upwardly extendingtooth 132 which stands in the path ofa stop arm 133 which is pivoted to the casting 17 at 134 in such mannerthat the lower end of said stop arm may be moved toward the front of themachine. Thestop arm 133 has anupwardly extending arm 135 which forms afinger piece, to the back of which a spring 136 is secured by a screw137. Said spring engaging the casting tends to press the upper end ofthe stop arm toward the front of the machine and the lower end of thestop finger piece 135 toward the back of the ma;

chine against the tension of the spring 136,

the lower part of the arm may be moved toward the front of the machineoutofthe path of the stop piece 132. I prefer to mount the arm-133 1nthe position shown in Fig. 7 onthe front end of the housing.

. The finger piece 128 which controls the carriage release's1ide123standsjust back of f such .that eitherfinger piece may the finger piece135. The eonstruction'is be operated separately, or both finger piecesmay be'grasped at the same time, being pinched together between thethumb of the operator pressing against thefinger piece 135 and the indexfinger pressing against the finger iece 128. When the parts aremanipulated ning tion and arrangement may be made without departing fromthe gist of my several 1m -v proveinents.

.-What I claim as new and desire to secure by. Letters Patent, is

1,111 a typewriting machine, the combination of-a carriage; a rail ortrack; asupporting andguiding -roller mounted. on a shaft whichi'sjournaled in said carriage; an escapement dev ce geared to said shaft; apmion onsaid shaft; 'anda stationary rack meshing with said pinion.-

tion' of a carriage'having key and type mechanisms mounted therein; arear roller on said carriage; a stationary rear track for said roller;afront stationary-track; two

guiding rollers spaced wide apart and runon said front track; astationary rack bar mountedjadjacent said vfront track; a

pinion engaging said stationary rackbar;

and a key controlled escapement mechanism geared to saidpinion.

2. In a typewrltmg machine, the combina- 3. In a typewritmg machine, thecombination ofa carria e having key and type mechamsms mounte therem; arear roller mounted on said carnage; a stationary rallor track for saidrear roller; two guide rollers M spaced apart nearer the front of thecan rlage than said rear roller; a stationary;

guide rail or track for said guiderollers'; a stationary guide rai ainion on said carriage engaging said rack ar; an escapement mechanismcontrolling said pinion; a driving cord con:

nected to said carriage; a spring. drum for said cord; and a pulley forsaid cord mount ed on said guiderail.

1 Ina typewritingmachine, the combination of a carriage having keylevers and type mechanisms mounted therein; longitudinally movableshouldered links connected directly Withr said key levers; ke leverreturning springs connected with sai shouldered links;

and a universal bar operated by said shouldered-links.

I 5. In a typewriting tion of'a carriage having key levers and typemechanism mounted therein; arms depend- I ing from said key levers;longitudinallymovable links connected with said arms; key leverreturning springs connected .with said links; individual returningspring adjustment devices for said links and returning springs; and auniversal bar operated by said lmks.

rack bar mounted adjacent said machine, thecombina- 6. In .a typewritingmachine, the combination of a carriage; an escapementmechanism for saidcarriage; aparriage release device including a fingerpiece for freeingsaid carriage-from said eseapement mechanism;

a carriage s top device including a finger piece and connections wherebysaid carriage stop device may beflrendered inoperative, the finger pieceof said carriage stop device and the finger piece of said carriagerelease, device being situated close to ether and adapted to movetoward'each ot er so thatsaid clutch.

the two'finge'r pieces may be pinched toether by the hand of theoperator and both nger pieces thus operated at the same time. 7 7. T ecombination with a carriage of an escapement mechanism ,for controll ngsaid carriage, said escapement mechanism. in-

cluding a clutch, one member 'ofwhich is engaging said rack bar; anescapement mechanism for, controlling said pinion; a

housing for said escapement mechanism; and means whereby said escapementmechanism is controlled by said key mechanism; said key mechanism beingdisposed low over said rack bar and .said escapement mechanism and itshousing being arranged at one side of said key mechanism. h I

9. The combination with a carriage and a V series of keys and keyoperated printing deanism and said pinion beinfg carried by said vicescarried by said carriage, of a rack bar 3; extending beneath a portionof said carriage; a pinion rotatably mounted in said carriage andengaging said rack; and an escapement mechanism controlledby said keysand controlling said pinion, said .key levers bein disposed low over andforward of said racl bar and said escapementmech carriage at one sidethereo 10. Thel'combinationof a platen; a fraine flfij movable acrosssaid "platen for line spacings; a carriage movable Iacross said-l nespace: frame for letter spac ng; .arack bar carr1edby, said line'spaceframe; a pinion T'carried by said carriage and engaging said rack bar;

a series of ke s and'p'rmtmg instrumentali ties controlle thereby; anescapement mechanism controlled by said keys and controlling saidpinion, said keys being disposed I low over andforward of said rack bar,and .saidv escapement' mechan sm being situated at one side ofsaidkey-mechanism; and

.spring means adaptedto draw said carriage" across said line-spaceframe.

11. The combination of a serles of keys and printin devices operated bysaid keys;

aunlv'ersal ar common to-and operable by all of said keys; an escapementmechanism situated at. one side of said series of keys and including adog; and alink connected to saiduniversal bar near one end of saiduniversal bar and operatively connected to said dog. f

.12. Ina typewriti'ng machine the combination ofa fiat platen, acarriage arranged to travel over said platen, printing mechanism mountedinsa'id carriage and comprising keys and type bars, said keys beingdisposed low over said platen," a universal bar arranged foroperation-by anyrof said keys; acarriage escapement arranged at one sideof'said printing mechanism, and connec tion between said universal, barand said escapementi Signedat the borough of'Manhattan, city and Stateof New York, this 9th day of November A. D. 1904. ALEXANDER '1. BROWN.

Witnesses:

E. M. \VELLs,

v M. F. HA N WEBER.

